CBRN weapons falling into hands of 'non-state actors' feared

There has been a steady rise in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) weapons in various countries, and it is possible that some of them may pass on to "irresponsible non-state actors", a senior defence official said today.

Addressing a gathering at a workshop in New Delhi on medical management of CBRN casualties, Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra pitched for all stake-holders in this domain to work together on "efficient and actionable plans" for the future.

"The present international security environment has seen a steady rise in CBRN weapons in various countries, and it is possible that some of them may pass on to irresponsible non-state actors," he said.

 

The three-day workshop for medical officers, inaugurated at the DRDO Bhawan today, has been organised by HQ Integrated Defence Staff (Medical) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation.

Officers from the military and the paramilitary forces and experts from related domains, such as the National Disaster Response Force, from various parts of India have converged in the national capital to exchange ideas on the critical subject.

Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defence are protective measures taken in situations in which CBRN warfare - including terrorism - hazards may be present.

At a workshop on CBRN defence technologies in January, Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat had said: "The threat of the use of CBRN weapons is indeed becoming a reality, particularly as a threat from non-state actors."

He had also said that use of CBRN weapons could jeopardise life and property and take them a long time to recover, and unlike the conventional military, CBRN combat requires operations in a "highly unpredictable" environment, where the adversaries may use "asymmetrical" means.

Mitra, in his address today, also underlined that with rapid advancement in biotechnology and genetic technology, terrorists can develop potent and lethal agents, which can cause mass deaths, panic and chaos.

The defence secretary said, apart from the nuclear threat, factories and refineries can also prove vulnerable to attacks, particularly along the country's coasts.

"It is therefore imperative that all stake-holders work together... which can play a major role in preventing or forestalling any such situation," Mitra said.

He also pitched for having casualty decontamination centres. "We need to work on efficient and actionable plans for future," he added.

Vice Admiral Atul Kumar Jain, former chief of staff, Eastern Naval Command, said there was a need to "come out of the secrecy (between defence and civilian side on talking about the issue) and teach people the implications, if any such situation occurs."

"We need to also teach them how to tackle such a situation," the naval officer said.